Monday Harness Preview for 1/27/2014
Following a weekend in which many sports enthusiasts went through a modest withdrawal during the bye week between the NFL Conference championships and the Super Bowl this Sunday, harness racing fans will want to kick off wagering in the week leading up to the big game by betting and cashing some tickets at Dover Downs and Yonkers Raceway this evening.
At Dover Downs on Monday, where temperatures are actually expected to be above freezing, a trio of pacers look poised to find the winner's circle. In the sixth, give Nova Blue Chip (Ron Pierce) a chance to redeem himself in a non-winners of four races lifetime class. One week earlier, Nova Blue Chip finished second as the 3-5 favorite after racing first over through the last five-eighths of a mile, but he should be able to work out a better trip this evening as the lukewarm choice.
Three races later in the ninth, a non-winners of $100,000 lifetime event for pacing fillies and mares, look for Beechwood Diana (Ross Wolfenden) to make immediate amends for finishing second last week as the odds-on choice in this class. Last Monday she was used hard to make the front in a 55.1 half and still battled gamely through the lane before finally being nailed late by 21-1 outsider Lloyd's Lady, who enjoyed a ground saving journey throughout. Expect Beechwood Diana to control the tempo this evening and edge clear from her foes in the lane.
Then one race later in the $20,000 Open Handicap for filly-mare pacers, give Cooking The Books the chance to end her local bridesmaid status and finally find the winner's circle in this weekly feature for pacing distaffers. The Josh Green trainee has been second in each of her first two tries in the top class, but Monday evening Cooking The Books should finally get the measure of San Fran Lady and Monochromatic and reach the wire first.
That same evening at Yonkers Raceway, there is clearly one solid play on the 12-race card. In the fourth, a non-winners of $5150
At Dover Downs on Monday, where temperatures are actually expected to be above freezing, a trio of pacers look poised to find the winner's circle. In the sixth, give Nova Blue Chip (Ron Pierce) a chance to redeem himself in a non-winners of four races lifetime class. One week earlier, Nova Blue Chip finished second as the 3-5 favorite after racing first over through the last five-eighths of a mile, but he should be able to work out a better trip this evening as the lukewarm choice.
Three races later in the ninth, a non-winners of $100,000 lifetime event for pacing fillies and mares, look for Beechwood Diana (Ross Wolfenden) to make immediate amends for finishing second last week as the odds-on choice in this class. Last Monday she was used hard to make the front in a 55.1 half and still battled gamely through the lane before finally being nailed late by 21-1 outsider Lloyd's Lady, who enjoyed a ground saving journey throughout. Expect Beechwood Diana to control the tempo this evening and edge clear from her foes in the lane.
Then one race later in the $20,000 Open Handicap for filly-mare pacers, give Cooking The Books the chance to end her local bridesmaid status and finally find the winner's circle in this weekly feature for pacing distaffers. The Josh Green trainee has been second in each of her first two tries in the top class, but Monday evening Cooking The Books should finally get the measure of San Fran Lady and Monochromatic and reach the wire first.
That same evening at Yonkers Raceway, there is clearly one solid play on the 12-race card. In the fourth, a non-winners of $5150
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